Buffered mounting assembly with magnetic foot

ABSTRACT

A mounting assembly for mounting accessories to a dovetail rail on a firearm is provided. The mounting assembly includes a main body having a lower portion with a first engagement member extending downwardly along one side thereof and a clamping assembly installed into the main body opposite the engagement member such that the clamping assembly can be engaged and disengaged with the dovetail rail to hold the mounting assembly on the dovetail rail. In addition, a buffer pad is provided between the clamping assembly and the interface point on the dovetail rail to protect the rail from wear. The clamping assembly includes a means for retracting the buffer pad when the clamping assembly is in the disengaged position, the retraction means preferably being magnetic. Such that the buffer pad is held out of the way when mounting or dismounting the mounting assembly.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to and claims priority from earlier filedU.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/820,659, filed Jul. 28, 2006.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to accessory mounting assembliesfor combat weapons such as the modular integrated accessory systemsfound on most modern combat weapons. More specifically, the presentinvention relates to an accessory mounting assembly that includes abuffer pad to prevent damage to the rail when the mounting assembly isengaged therewith, while also including a means for reliably retractingthe buffer pad to facilitate dismounting when the mounting assembly isdisengaged.

As the field of combat and commercial weaponry expands, numerous add-onenhancements have become available for attachment to standard firearms,thereby significantly upgrading the capability of the firearm. Ofparticular interest in the area of combat weapons is the well-knownM16/M4 weapon system (M16 and M4 are trademarks of Colt Defense, Inc.).The M16 has been in service for a number of years and will continue tobe a popular rifle both in U.S. and foreign militaries for theforeseeable future. Generally, the M16/M4 weapon 2, as depicted in FIG.1, includes a lower receiver 4, upper receiver 6, butt stock 8, andbarrel 10.

The newer models of the M16/M4 weapons further include a mil-std 1913dovetail rail 12 extending along the top of the upper receiver. Thisintegrated receiver rail 12 provides a convenient mounting point formany types of enhancement devices such as scopes and other sightingdevices. However, space on the upper receiver rail 12 is limited, andmany military personnel often have multiple sighting devices that areeach tailored to perform in different combat situations. In addition,there are a variety of lighting devices, handgrips, etc. that could alsobe attached to the weapon for enhanced use of the weapon. The difficultyis that there is simply not enough space on the integrated rail providedon the upper receiver to accommodate all of the desired accessories.Accordingly, the increasing development and refinement of laser sights,infrared lighting, visible lighting, night vision, and specializedscopes and magnifiers, and other accessories continues to drive the needfor versatile and reliable integration systems that include additionalmil-std 1913 dovetail rails positioned above or around the barrel of theweapon that can support this important equipment and yet stand the testof rugged military use and abuse.

Responding to this need, the applicant has developed a modularintegrated rail system (A.R.M.S.® S.I.R.® system), which has been wellreceived by the military and has become popular with several branches ofthe military (See FIG. 2). The A.R.M.S. S.I.R. system is fully describedin U.S. Pat. No. 6,490,822, the entire contents of which areincorporated herein by reference. These modular integrated rail systemsfor combat weapons 2 generally include an upper hand guard 14, a means16 for securing the upper hand guard 14 to the weapon 2, a lower firearmaccessory 18 (in most cases this is a lower hand guard), variousoptional rail segments, and in many cases, a sling swivel 20 forattaching a shoulder sling to carry the weapon 2.

The upper hand guard 14 is the main structural element of the system.The upper hand guard is 14 generally semi-cylindrical in shape and has aforward end and a rearward end and a mil-std 1913 dovetail rail 22extending longitudinally between the forward end and the rearward end.The semi-cylindrical upper hand guard 14 further includes symmetricallyopposing side walls that extend outwardly and downwardly from thedovetail rail and terminate in symmetrically opposing longitudinallyextending mounting channels. The mounting channels are used to mountvarious accessories, such as a lower hand guard 18 or a grenadelauncher, to the upper hand guard 14.

An interface means 16 is provided at the rearward end of the upper handguard 14 to removably secure the upper hand guard 14 to the firearm 2.In the original S.I.R. system as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,490,822, theclamp is an elongated clamping rail that secures the upper hand guard 14to the dovetail rail 12 on the top of the upper receiver 6 of the weapon2. In the newer S.I.R. systems, the interface means is a U-shaped yokeor clamp that secures the upper hand guard 14 to the barrel nut.

As is well known in this area, field modification of weapons is criticalin combat situations. For example, it may be desired to swap the lowerhand guard for a grenade launcher, which can be attached to the upperhand guard, or to add an optional rail segment for securing an addedaccessory. Similarly, there may be a desire to exchange variousdifferent sights or lighting accessories that are mounted on the variousdovetail rails positioned around the weapon. In this regard standardizedaccessory mounting assemblies have been developed to allow quick andeasy removal and mounting of these devices relative to the dovetailrails.

The difficulty with the prior art mounting assemblies is that theclamping surfaces that engage with the dovetail rail are necessarilyformed from steel while the Weaver interfaces, receiver sleeves andupper receivers are generally made of aluminum or other light weightmaterial. Since these materials are softer than the steel used for theclamping surface, over time and after repeated use, the operation of theclamping foot scratches, cuts and erodes the underlying rail interface.

To overcome the difficulties associated with the wear between thedissimilar metal surfaces, the applicant further developed a ruggedmounting assembly that includes a buffer pad 24 disposed between theclamping surface 26 of the mounting assembly 28 and the rail interface22 (See FIGS. 3A and 3B) that enhances the ability to fasten accessoriesonto the SIR system as is shown and described for example in U.S. Pat.No. 5,276,988, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein byreference.

However, the inclusion of a buffer pad itself has also introduced a newset of difficulties in that when the mounting assembly is disengaged andthe clamping foot is retracted, the buffer pad often remains in adownwardly depending position as can best be seen in FIG. 3B. As aresult, when installing a mounting assembly that includes a buffer pad,the device must be tilted in such a manner that the buffer pad iscleared out of the way, otherwise it interferes with installation of themounting assembly onto the rail interface.

Accordingly, there is a need for a mounting assembly that allows for thereleasable mounting of various accessories onto the standard dovetailrail found on modern combat weapons. Further, there is a need for amounting assembly that includes the beneficial features found in theprior art throw while also including a reliable means for retracting thebuffer pad in a manner that facilitates installation and removal of thedevice relative to an S.I.R. system or other interface rail mount.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In this regard the present invention provides for an improved mountingassembly that is configured to be releasably attached to a standarddovetail rail profile. The mounting assembly of the present invention isparticularly suited for use in connection with any firearm that utilizesa standard dovetail rail system. The mounting assembly is configured inthe same manner as a traditional prior art mounting assemblies aspictured in FIGS. 3A and 3B. The mounting assembly includes a main bodythat has a lower portion that is configured to engage the dovetail railfound on most modern combat weapons as depicted at 12 in FIG. 1 and at16 In FIG. 2 and an upper portion that can take a variety ofconfigurations depending on the accessory that is to be mounted thereon.The lower portion of the mounting assembly has a first engagement memberextending downwardly along one side thereof for engaging one side of thedovetail rail. A clamping assembly that includes a camming member havinga foot and a shaft extending upwardly therefrom is installed into themain body opposite the engagement member and is received in a positionadjacent the bottom of the mounting assembly body. An actuator arm isinstalled onto the top end of the shaft adjacent the top of the mainbody in a manner that engages the shaft and provides a means for theuser to rotate the shaft and the foot such that the foot can be engagedand disengaged with the dovetail rail to hold the mounting assembly onthe dovetail rail. In addition, a buffer pad is provided between thefoot and the interface point on the dovetail rail to protect the railfrom wear due to the clamping action.

In the scope of the present invention, the clamping assembly includes ameans for retracting the buffer pad when the clamping assembly is in thedisengaged position. Retracting the buffer pad and holding it out of theway in turn makes installation of the mounting assembly relative to thedovetail rail easier. In the preferred embodiment, the means forretracting the buffer pad is magnetic. The foot of the clamping assemblymay be entirely formed from magnetic material, may include a magnetinstalled therein or alternately be coated with a magnetic paint toimpart magnetism thereto.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide animproved mounting assembly that allows for the releasable mounting ofvarious accessories onto the standard dovetail rail found on moderncombat weapons. Further, it is an object of the present invention toprovide a mounting assembly that can be reliably mounted onto a dovetailrail while including a clamping assembly that retracts fully when in thedisengaged position thereby enhancing the ability of the user to quicklymount or dismount the mounting assembly relative to the dovetail rail.It is still a further object of the present invention to provide amounting assembly that includes a means for fully retracting the bufferpad when the clamping assembly is in the fully open position therebyensuring that the buffer pad does not interfere with installing orremoving the mounting system relative to the dovetail rail.

These together with other objects of the invention, along with variousfeatures of novelty that characterize the invention, are pointed outwith particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part ofthis disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, itsoperating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses,reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptivematter in which there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of theinvention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings which illustrate the best mode presently contemplatedfor carrying out the present invention:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a prior art combat firearm;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a prior art rail interface system;

FIG. 3A is an end view of a prior art mounting assembly in the engagedposition;

FIG. 3B is an end view of a prior art mounting assembly in thedisengaged position;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the mounting assembly of thepresent invention;

FIG. 5A is an end view of the mounting assembly of the present inventionin the engaged position;

FIG. 5B is an end view of the mounting assembly of the present inventionin the disengaged position; and

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Now referring to the drawings, the mounting assembly of the presentinvention is shown and generally illustrated at 30 in FIGS. 4-6. Themounting assembly 30 is configured to be releasably attached to astandard dovetail rail profile as is depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, andincludes a means for withdrawing the clamping mechanism away from thedovetail rail when the clamping assembly is in the fully openedposition. The mounting assembly 30 of the present invention isparticularly suited for use in connection with any firearm that utilizesa standard dovetail rail system. Further, the mounting assembly 30 isconfigured in the same manner as a traditional prior art mountinginterface devices. The mounting assembly 30 includes a lower clampingportion that engages the dovetail rail found on most modern combatweapons and an upper accessory interface portion that can take on avariety of configurations depending on the accessory that is to bemounted thereon.

Turning now to FIG. 4, as can be seen, the mounting assembly 30 includesa main body that is configured in the same manner as a traditional priorart device and further includes a lower portion 32 that is configured toengage the dovetail rail found on most modern combat weapons and anupper portion 34 that can take on a variety of configurations dependingon the accessory that is to be mounted thereon. The lower portion 32 ofthe mounting assembly has a first engagement member 36 extendingdownwardly along one side thereof for engaging one side of the dovetailrail. Further, a boss formation 38 is provided adjacent the side of themounting assembly 30 wherein the boss formation 38 includes an opening40 therein to receive a clamping assembly 42.

The clamping assembly 42 is particularly suited to be releasablyengageable with a second side of the dovetail rail such that theclamping assembly 42 cooperates with the first engagement member 36 toretain the mounting assembly 30 in its installed position on thedovetail rail. It is preferred that the clamping assembly 42 be movablebetween an engaged position wherein the clamping assembly 42 engages thesecond side of said dovetail rail and cooperates with the firstengagement member 36 on the lower portion 32 of the mounting assembly 30to retain the mounting assembly 30 on the dovetail rail and a disengagedposition wherein the clamping assembly 42 is disengaged, therebyallowing the mounting assembly 30 to be removed from the dovetail rail.It is still further preferred that the clamping assembly 42 be rotatablebetween the engaged and disengaged positions.

In a preferred embodiment the clamping assembly 42 includes a cammingmember having a foot 44 and a shaft 46 extending upwardly therefrom suchthat the shaft 46 is installed into the opening 40 in the boss formation38 on the mounting assembly 30. Further, to enhance the overall fit androtation of the clamping assembly 42, a bushing 48 may also be providedin the opening 40 between the boss formation 38 and the shaft 46. Oncethe shaft 46 is inserted into the opening 40 in the boss formation 38,the foot 44 is received in a position adjacent the bottom surface ofboth the boss formation 38 and the mounting assembly 38 itself. Anactuator arm 50 is installed onto the top end of the shaft 46 and isreceived adjacent the top of the mounting assembly 30. The actuator arm50 engages the shaft 46 and provides a means for the user to rotate theshaft 46 and the foot 44 allowing the foot 44 to be engaged anddisengaged with the second side of the dovetail rail. In this manner,the clamping assembly 42 and the first engagement member 36 cooperate tohold the mounting assembly on the dovetail rail.

There is also shown generally a buffer element 52 having a flathorizontal base portion with an arm 54 at each end of the base extendingupwardly at an oblique angle of 135 degrees. The free end of each arm iscurved approximately 150 degrees. Two side-by-side openings 56,corresponding in separation to the separation between buffer element 52arms 54, are formed in the mounting assembly 30. The arms 54 on the topof the buffer element 52 are slid through the openings 56 therebyretaining the buffer element 52 in the mounting assembly 30. In thisarrangement, the buffer element 52 is positioned between the surface ofthe dovetail rail and the foot 44 of the clamping assembly 42. Rotationof the actuator arm 50, the shaft 46 and in turn the foot 44 serves topress the buffer element 52 into the side of the dovetail rail. Byplacing the buffer element 52 in this position, the buffer element 52prevents the foot 44 from directly touching and thereby scratching thedovetail rail.

In the scope of the present invention, a magnetic attraction is employedas between the clamping assembly 42 and the buffer element 52 so that asthe clamping assembly 42 is moved to the disengaged position, themagnetic force also causes the buffer pad 52 to be withdrawn towards theclamping assembly 42 to a position that is clear from the second side ofthe dovetail rail 22. Such a magnetic attractive force in the context ofthe present invention may be accomplished in several different ways. Forexample, the camming foot 44 may be entirely formed from magneticmaterial, may include a magnet 58 installed therein or alternately becoated with a magnetic paint to impart magnetism thereto. In such aconfiguration, the buffer pad 52 is formed from a ferro-magneticmaterial so that a magnetic attraction exists between the buffer pad 52and the magnetized camming foot 44. Alternatively, the buffer pad 52 maybe entirely formed from magnetic material or may be coated with amagnetic paint to impart magnetism thereto. In such a configuration, thecamming foot 44 is formed from a ferro-magnetic material so that amagnetic attraction exists between the magnetized buffer pad 52 and thecamming foot 44.

Turning to FIGS. 5A, 5B and 6, for illustration purposes, a magnet 58 isshown installed into the foot 44 of the clamping assembly 42. The magnet58 may be a discrete magnet 58 installed into a hole in the foot 44 ofthe clamping assembly 42. Similarly, the entire foot 44 may be formedfrom a magnetic material. Further, the magnet 58 may be a traditionalnatural magnet or a rare earth metal magnet. In either case, since thefoot 44 of the clamping assembly 42 and the buffer pad 52 are typicallyformed from a ferrous material, the magnetic attractive force created bythe installation of a magnet 58 is transferred through the foot 44 in amanner that attracts the buffer pad 52 against the foot 44. As theclamping assembly 42 is rotated to a disengaged position such that thecamming foot 44 is withdrawn, the buffer pad 52 is also drawn outwardlyagainst the side of the foot 44 and retained thereby the magneticattractive force of the magnet 58.

In FIG. 5A the mounting assembly 30 can be seen in a closed engagedposition. The actuator arm 50 is rotated against the body of themounting assembly 30 and the foot 44 can be seen as being rotated to aposition where it displaces the buffer pad 52 to engage the side of thedovetail rail 22 to firmly retain the mounting assembly 30 in aninstalled position. Turning now to FIG. 5B, the mounting assembly 30 canbe seen in an open disengaged position. The actuator arm 50 is rotatedoutwardly to a position that is substantially perpendicular to the bodyof the mounting assembly 30. The foot 44 can be seen to be positioned ina fully disengaged position where it will not interfere with removal ofinstallation of the mounting assembly 30 relative to the rail 22. It canfurther be seen that the buffer pad 52 is drawn outwardly against thefoot 44 due to the magnetic attraction between the buffer pad 52 and thefoot 44 so that the buffer pad 52 is also in a fully disengaged positionwhere it will not interfere with removal of installation of the mountingassembly 30 relative to the rail 22.

Accordingly, it can be seen that the present invention provides a uniqueand novel accessory mount that fills a critical need for soldiers in thefield by ensuring positive and reliable operation. For these reasons,the instant invention is believed to represent a significant advancementin the art, which has substantial commercial merit.

While there is shown and described herein certain specific structureembodying the invention, it will be manifest to those skilled in the artthat various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventiveconcept and that the same is not limited to the particular forms hereinshown and described except insofar as indicated by the scope of theappended claims.

1. A mounting assembly for attaching an accessory to a dovetail railinterface on a firearm, said mounting assembly comprising: a body havinga lower portion, an upper portion and a first engagement memberextending downwardly along a first side of said lower portion said firstengagement member configured to engage a first side of said dovetailrail, said upper portion configured to receive and retain saidaccessory; a clamping assembly received along a second side of saidlower portion, said clamping assembly being movable between an engagedposition and a disengaged position; and a buffer pad pivotally attachedadjacent a bottom surface of said lower portion and adjacent saidclamping assembly, wherein movement of said clamping assembly to saidengaged position clamps said buffer pad against said second side of saiddovetail rail and movement of said clamping assembly to said disengagedposition withdraws said buffer pad away from said dovetail rail.
 2. Themounting assembly of claim 1, wherein said buffer pad is formed from aferro-magnetic material and said clamping assembly includes a magnetpositioned therein, wherein magnetic attraction between said buffer padand said clamping assembly causes said buffer pad to withdraw when saidclamping assembly is in said disengaged position.
 3. The mountingassembly of claim 1, wherein said clamping assembly is formed from aferro-magnetic material and said buffer pad is formed from a permanentmagnetic material, wherein magnetic attraction between said buffer padand said clamping assembly causes said buffer pad to withdraw when saidclamping assembly is in said disengaged position.
 4. The mountingassembly of claim 1, said clamping assembly further comprising: acamming foot positioned adjacent a bottom surface of lower portion; ashaft affixed to and extending upwardly from said camming foot, saidshaft extending through an opening in said body; and an actuator armpositioned adjacent said top surface of said upper portion and affixedto a top end of said shaft such that rotation of said actuator armcauses rotation of said shaft and said camming foot, wherein rotation ofsaid clamping assembly to said engaged position causes said camming footto engage said buffer pad against second side of said dovetail androtation of said clamping assembly to said disengaged position causessaid camming foot to rotate to a position that causes said buffer pad towithdraw clear from said dovetail rail.
 5. The mounting assembly ofclaim 4, wherein said buffer pad is formed from a ferro-magneticmaterial and said camming foot includes a magnet positioned therein,wherein magnetic attraction between said buffer pad and said cammingfoot causes said buffer pad to withdraw when said clamping assembly isin said disengaged position.
 6. The mounting assembly of claim 4,wherein said buffer pad is formed from a ferro-magnetic material andsaid camming foot is formed from a permanent magnetic material, whereinmagnetic attraction between said buffer pad and said camming foot causessaid buffer pad to withdraw when said clamping assembly is in saiddisengaged position.
 7. The mounting assembly of claim 4, wherein saidbuffer pad is formed from a ferro-magnetic material and said cammingfoot is coated with a permanent magnetic material, wherein magneticattraction between said buffer pad and said camming foot causes saidbuffer pad to withdraw when said clamping assembly is in said disengagedposition.
 8. The mounting assembly of claim 4, wherein said camming footis formed from a ferro-magnetic material and said buffer pad is formedfrom a permanent magnetic material, wherein magnetic attraction betweensaid buffer pad and said camming foot causes said buffer pad to withdrawwhen said clamping assembly is in said disengaged position.
 9. Themounting assembly of claim 4, wherein said camming foot is formed from aferro-magnetic material and said buffer pad is coated with a permanentmagnetic material, wherein magnetic attraction between said buffer padand said camming foot causes said buffer pad to withdraw when saidclamping assembly is in said disengaged position.
 10. A mountingassembly for attaching an accessory to a dovetail rail interface on afirearm, said mounting assembly comprising: a body having a lowerportion, an upper portion and a first engagement member extendingdownwardly along a first side of said lower portion said firstengagement member configured to engage a first side of said dovetailrail, said upper portion configured to receive and retain saidaccessory; and a clamping assembly mounted along a second side of saidlower portion, said clamping assembly being rotatable between an engagedposition wherein said clamping assembly displaces a buffer pad intoengagement with a second side of said dovetail rail and a disengagedposition wherein said clamping assembly magnetically withdraws saidbuffer pad away from said second side of said dovetail rail.
 11. Themounting assembly of claim 10, wherein said buffer pad is formed from aferro-magnetic material and said clamping assembly includes a magnetpositioned therein.
 12. The mounting assembly of claim 10, wherein saidclamping assembly is formed from a ferro-magnetic material and saidbuffer pad is formed from a permanent magnetic material.
 13. Themounting assembly of claim 10, said clamping assembly furthercomprising: a camming foot positioned adjacent a bottom surface of lowerportion; a shaft affixed to and extending upwardly from said cammingfoot, said shaft extending through an opening in said body; and anactuator arm positioned adjacent said top surface of said upper portionand affixed to a top end of said shaft such that rotation of saidactuator arm causes rotation of said shaft and said camming foot,wherein rotation of said clamping assembly to said engaged positioncauses said camming foot to engage said buffer pad against second sideof said dovetail and rotation of said clamping assembly to saiddisengaged position causes said camming foot to rotate to a positionthat causes said buffer pad to withdraw clear from said dovetail rail.14. The mounting assembly of claim 13, wherein said buffer pad is formedfrom a ferro-magnetic material and said camming foot includes a magnetpositioned therein.
 15. The mounting assembly of claim 13, wherein saidbuffer pad is formed from a ferro-magnetic material and said cammingfoot is formed from a permanent magnetic material.
 16. The mountingassembly of claim 13, wherein said buffer pad is formed from aferro-magnetic material and said camming foot is coated with a permanentmagnetic material.
 17. The mounting assembly of claim 13, wherein saidcamming foot is formed from a ferro-magnetic material and said bufferpad is formed from a permanent magnetic material, wherein magneticattraction between said buffer pad and said camming foot causes saidbuffer pad to withdraw when said clamping assembly is in said disengagedposition.
 18. The mounting assembly of claim 13, wherein said cammingfoot is formed from a ferro-magnetic material and said buffer pad iscoated with a permanent magnetic material, wherein magnetic attractionbetween said buffer pad and said camming foot causes said buffer pad towithdraw when said clamping assembly is in said disengaged position.